VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

The Change of Status Form for requesting an Administrative Leave of Absence may be obtained in the Office of Student Affairs. Upon return, the Campus Dean, Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Education, or the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs will determine the student's placement within the curriculum. In addition, for lengthy leaves, the Campus Dean may require the Promotion Board to determine the appropriate placement in the curriculum upon the student’s return. The return may require repeating or auditing of classes or rotations already taken. Educational Leave of Absence When accepted to a dual degree academic program (such as DO/MBA, DO/PhD), that has prior approval through VCOM administration, the student may be placed on an approved Educational Leave of Absence from the DO program in order to complete the dual degree program. An Educational Leave of Absence is generally not granted for a period beyond one year. The Educational Leave of Absence may exceed 180 days within a 12-month period since the student is actively enrolled in an accredited degree program. The 12-month period begins on the first day of the student’s leave of absence. An Educational Leave of Absence may only be granted by the Campus Dean and may only occur between the OMS 3 and OMS 4 year curriculum. The Change of Status Form for requesting an Educational Leave of Absence may be obtained in the Office of Student Affairs. This section does not apply to the DO with Research Distinction track as the student remains continuously enrolled. Medical Leave of Absence and Medical Withdrawals An enrolled student whose medical condition requires absence from the curricular program for a period of less than 7 days falls under an excused absence requirements and this is not considered a medical leave as long as the missed coursework may be made up. In circumstances where the medical condition warrants an absence that extends beyond 7 days the following statuses are applied: 1. If the Associate Dean and Course Instructor approve the absence and arrangements are possible for the OMS 1 or OMS 2 student to participate in the curriculum outside of the classroom or if special arrangements can be made for the student to complete the curriculum within the current block, a medical leave of absence will not be required and the student may remain enrolled. 2. When the leave of absence is greater than 7 days and renders the OMS 1 or OMS 2 student unable to participate in the curriculum or that participation cannot be arranged by the Course instructor and Associate Dean within the current block, a medical leave must be taken. 3. When the leave of absence for an OMS 3 or OMS 4 student extends beyond 7 days and the clinical or research rotation may be made up during the current year, a medical leave is not required. 4. When the leave of absence for an OMS 3 or OMS 4 student extends beyond 7 days and the student is not able to make up the clinical or research rotation within the year, a medical leave is required. The Associate Dean with approval of the Campus Dean may grant a medical leave of absence. The student must provide the appropriate medical documentation, including but not limited to, a letter from the treating physician clearly stating the nature of the medical condition and reasons it requires a leave of absence. The Associate Dean and/or Campus Dean may require additional information from the treating physician to determine the appropriate timeframe for return. The Associate Dean and Campus Dean reserve the right to require a second opinion if the reasons for the medical leave or withdrawal is not common for the medical condition or to confirm that a medical condition exists or if the Campus Dean believes a second opinion is warranted. If the OMS 1 or OMS 2 student is able to complete the coursework he or she has missed during an approved Medical Leave of Absence during the “block breaks” following current or subsequent blocks, the student may continue with the current class. If the student misses a significant portion of the curriculum and is therefore unable to complete the coursework with the current class, the student is granted a medical withdrawal.

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